Button rapidly fitted by means of a stud or thread with the possibility of recovering it after fitting

ABSTRACT

A novel system of rapidly securing a button using stud or thread is described, with the possibility of recovering the button after fitting. Improved appearance is achieved by rendering the stud penetration hole invisible on its upper surface. The button comprises an upper part or cup which can be fitted if necessary with a decorative cover (4). It also comprises a support or base with a transverse through hole (6) used for recovering the button or securing it in a conventional manner, the stud penetration hole having two retaining lugs, and also a serrated (2) or coarse (8) stud for securing the button to the fabric (7). The aim of the invention is to improve the appearance of existing &#34;quick fit&#34; buttons, to enable said buttons to be recovered, and to allow them to be secured in a conventional manner.

This invention concerns securing buttons using stud or thread, with thepossibility of recovering the button after fitting.

The originality of this button consists in the design of the system bywhich the button is secured, in its varied applications (fast andtraditional), in its recovery and in its aesthetic advantages.

We are aware of rapidly-fitted buttons using stud through the fabric,but they have the following disadvantages:

Stud and penetration hole visible and unaesthetic.

Buttons difficult or impossible to recover.

Impossible to sew buttons in the tradition manner.

Difficult to handle.

Need to hide the penetration hole with a cup.

This invention proposes to remedy all these disadvantages in a simple,precise and effective manner.

The introduction during manufacturing, at the injection stage, of a spitthrough the base of the button reducing the material at the hole leveland creating two lugs, whose resilience during the penetration of thestud makes it possible to block-up and retain the button.

The stud is formed by a cone-shaped partwhose purpose is only to piercethe fabric, and by a cylindrical portion whose surface presents aserrated or coarse aspect, which will secure the button and the studhead.

The advantages of this system are:

The smaller and adapted size of the stud, makes it possible to avoidhaving it appear after securing, which will improve the appearance ofexisting "quick fit" buttons.

The button can be sewn in a conventional manner by using the holes leftby the spit.

The button can later be recovered without damage by introducing a pointor sharp-pointed object into the lateral holes in order to push thestud.

The head of the stud can be used as a counter-button when necessary(leather material, furs, . . . )

Easier handling by using studs adapted to the thickness of the support.

FIG. 1 shows a stud with locking catch.

FIG. 2 shows a variant of the entire button-stud with a nested cap.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the entire button-stud with cover cap.

FIG. 4 shows a stud with a coarse stem.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the entire button-coarse stem stud with anested cap.

FIG. 6 shows a variant of the entire button-coarse stem stud with acover cap.

FIG. 1 shows a stud made of plastic comprising a cone-shaped part (2)used to pierce the fabric and also to secure the button. The head endedwith a spherical pointed portion (1) and is used to penetrate throughthe fibers of the fabric.

Part (3) represents the head of the stud securing the button to thematerial.

FIG. 2 represents a button fixed at its base by a serrated stud (2) tothe material (7), and presenting, after introduction of the spit duringmanufacturing, a transverse hole (6) used for recovering this button byintroducing a point or sharp-pointed object into the lateral holes inorder to push the stud, and/or to sew with thread by using the holesleft by the spit. This variant can accept a nested decorative cap (4).

In FIG. 3, the button represented in this variant is fixed the same waythat in FIG. 2 and can accept to be recovered by a decorative cap (4).

In FIG. 4, a stud made in plastic comprising a coarse cone-shaped part(8) ended by a cone whose purpose is to pierce the fabric. As in FIG. 1,the point ended with a spherical pointed portion (1) used to penetratethrough the fabric, and of the head of the stud (3) used to secure thebutton to the material. FIG. 5 shows a button fixed to its base by aserrated or coarse (8) stud making it possible to block-up against thelugs (9). These lugs are the result of reducing material made by thespit during manufacturing. A place (5) is planned for the point of thestud. As in the variants of figures 2 and 3, the button is transverse bya hole making possible to recover the button and/or to sew with threadin a conventional manner. This variant can accept a decorative nestedcap.

In FIG. 6, the button represented is fixed the same way that the one inFIG. 5 and can be covered with a decorative cap (4).

We claim:
 1. A reusable button assembly, comprising:a) a stud having ahead and a stem extending away from the head, the stem terminating in asecuring means wherein the securing means is adapted to pierce a fabricand the head is adapted to prevent the stud from sliding completelythrough the fabric; and b) a base having a retaining means adapted toreceive and releasably engage the securing means of the stud, the basealso having a hole proximate, and transverse to, the retaining meansadapted to allow a tool to have access to the securing means and thestem for facilitating the disengagement of the securing means from theretaining means.
 2. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein the securingmeans comprises a substantially conical portion having a generallyspherical pointed tip used to penetrate the fabric.
 3. The buttonassembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining means comprises asubstantially frustum-shaped portion extending away from the base, thetop of the frustum having a substantially coaxial aperture for receivingand engaging the securing means.
 4. The button assembly of claim 3,wherein the hole is substantially transverse to the axis of the frustum.5. The button assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprisesa plurality of flexible retaining lugs.
 6. The button assembly of claim5, wherein the securing means is a roughened portion of the stem and theretaining lugs frictionally engage the roughened portion.
 7. The buttonassembly of claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises asubstantially conical portion having a generally spherical pointed tipused to penetrate the fabric.
 8. The button assembly of claim 7, whereinthe conical portion has a base end with a diameter larger than theseparation between the flexible retaining lugs.
 9. The button assemblyof claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a means for releasablysecuring a decorative cap.
 10. A button for use in a reusable buttonassembly which includes a removable stud having a stem terminating insecuring means adapted to pierce a fabric and for releasable engagementwith the button, the button comprising:(a) a base having retaining meansfor receiving and for releasably engaging the securing means of thestud, the base also having a hole which is proximate, and transverse to,the retaining means and which permits a tool to have access to thesecuring means for facilitating the disengagement of the securing meansfrom the retaining means; and (b) conically-shaped space means in thebase for receiving unrestrictedly the securing means of the stem. 11.The button of claim 10, wherein the retaining means comprises asubstantially frustum-shaped portion extending away from the base, thetop of the frustum having a substantially coaxial aperture for receivingand engaging the securing means.
 12. The button of claim 11, whereinthehole is substantially transverse to the axis of the frustum.
 13. Thebutton of claim 10, wherein the retaining means comprises a plurality offlexible retaining lugs.
 14. The button of claim 10, wherein the basefurther comprises means for releasably securing a decorative cap. 15.The button of claim 10, wherein the space means comprises asubstantially conically-shaped notch in the base.
 16. The button ofclaim 10, wherein the space means comprises a cut-out which is shapedsubstantially identically to the fabric-piercing portion of the securingmeans.